So, after a discussion with friend recently about how to re-incorporate recipes into this space…something that has been sorely lacking…I want to introduce a new recurring feature called…Reclamation Recipes. I will be posting recipes that I concoct out of what is in my fridge after a shoot. Should be fun.

RR# 1: Odd’s & End’s Chicken Soup

At the end of the week I always seem to be left with a mish-mash of things in the vegetable crisper…2 carrots, a leek, a couple of celery stalks…This time I also had a poached chicken breast and a handful of small Yukon gold potatoes. Realizing this stuff had about another day of life in the fridge before their replacements arrived from Fresh Direct for the next round of shooting, a chicken soup was in their future. Here is how I put it together but you can substitute, add or delete items based on what you have in your fridge. No protein? Vegetarian? Vegan? Add a can of beans instead of the chicken.

Ingredients

2 Tbs. Olive oil

1 large Onion, diced

2 large Carrots, diced

2 Celery Stalks, diced

1 large Leek, halved lengthwise then sliced thick

4 cloves of Garlic, smashed and peeled

6 small Yukon Gold potatoes

1 poached Chicken Breast, diced

Bouquet Garni of parmesan rind, thyme and parsley tied with string

1 Qt. of Chicken Stock

Salt and Pepper to taste

Heat the oil in a large soup pot over medium high heat and add the onion, leek, carrot and celery. Saute, stirring occasionally for about 7 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften and add the garlic, salt and pepper. Saute for an additional minute.

Add the stock, the potatoes, chicken and the bouquet garni and bring to a boil. Lower heat to bring pot to a simmer, cover and cook over low heat for about an hour or until potatoes are starting to fall apart. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.

Gilt Taste has a 3 story arc that includes some terrific recipes from Melissa Clark and Dave Wondrich that will surely give you some extra inspiration to eat and drink (as if you needed any more) fantastically this Memorial Day weekend. Go check them out before you do that shopping…you won’t want to miss out.

http://www.gilttaste.com/stories/324-spice-porcini-mushroom-salt

http://www.gilttaste.com/stories/322-cured-and-butter-poached-asparagus

Melissa has come up with a simple, fast home version of the classic Vietnamese sandwich and I can say from experience that this Bahn Mi makes me think that she should capitalize on the Brooklyn void and start selling them out of her kitchen.